South African Women Are Taking an Interest In Self-Defense and Guns

 

More South African  women are getting involved in self-defense and taking an interest in guns. This is a response to the concerns about gender based violence. South Africa has some of the highest femicide rates in the world based on U.N. Women agency data. According to South African data an estimated 35% of women experience sexual or physical violence from their romantic partners. There are a few explanations for this. The violence is partly the legacy of the Apartheid regime. Before the establishment of a democratic system, the government revolved around force and oppression. Violence can spread into all aspects of life. South Africa's inability to improve the economic conditions, caused an increase in crime. Having strict gender roles and rigid ideas about family values encourages physical harm to women. South African women might see violent behavior from men as normal. There is a need for change in attitudes and culture. Learning self-defense is a solution for women's personal security. Getting involved with gun use becomes complicated. More guns could result in higher amounts of crime. Private security services have engaged in abuses. Women arming themselves to such a degree could encourage vigilantism or more murder. Law enforcement should be more responsive to women's concerns about safety. The failure of police to reduce violence against women proves institutional ineffectiveness. South African women responded to this with taking up shooting and self-defense.     

O.J. Simpson Verdict (1995)

 

The O.J. Simpson trial captivated the American public. Media sensationalism prior and after the trial reached fanatic heights. O.J. Simpson was accused of the murder of Nicole Brown. His second wife was a victim of domestic violence. The athlete, actor, and sports broadcaster became infamous with the trial. This highlighted racial divisions in the United States. The Los Angeles Police Department's racism interfered with the murder case. That was used to discredit the prosecution. The media's racism depicted O.J. as an animal, who terrorized an innocent white woman. This racist trope was common in Reconstruction era America, but got a late 20th century update. So much focus on Nicole Brown, the media seemed to forget that Ron Goldman was murdered. The prosecution could not prove that O.J. Simpson murdered them and he was found not guilty. While most could deduce that O.J. was the culprit, the arguments were not persuasive enough to convince a jury. The verdict in many ways was vengeance for the Rodney King incident in 1992. King was beaten by a group of police officers and they were not charged. Criminal justice in America has either been biased or used to impose a racial caste system. The O.J. Simpson verdict demonstrated the favoritism that the famous and powerful get in a court of law. White rage about the verdict was a projection of racial animosity, rather than a concern about criminal justice. America lives in the illusion of a fair legal system. The O.J. Simpson trial will remain of interest to scholars of  jurisprudence and criminology.    

Iceland's Women Workers Strike

 

Iceland saw women workers do a labor strike across the country. Taking place on October 24, it only lasted a day. This was not genuine labor action or protest. Labor strikes are designed to last as long as certain demands are met. The focus was also to draw attention to unequal pay and gender based violence. These are feminist concerns that should have their own demonstration. The attempts at worker solidarity have limitations. If there is a concern about domestic violence, then more laws should be made to address it. When it comes to income inequality, as long neoliberal capitalism exists equal pay is not possible. Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir claimed she remained home to show her support. The move was more of a public relations stunt, rather than a serious political position. The strike itself seemed to lack direction or purpose. The World Economic Forum has ranked Iceland one of the most gender equal countries. The problem with international institution rankings is that they do not recognize the reality of the experiences of the regular person. The strike ignores the immigrant women's struggle in Iceland. The tactics of fouth wave feminism could be self defeating. Making all men seem like an enemy disregards that men of low income are exploited. Building an alliance requires compromises and collaboration with  various organizations. The discussion of domestic violence at a worker's rights demonstration becomes a non-sequitur. Unequal pay does not just effects women. Among various racial and ethnic groups there is a gap. Then it must be understood, that women are not going into certain sectors as men are. More women have to get involved in mathematics, science, technology, and engineering. Working women should question why Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir has not made economic and women's issue a priority. New legislation has not been introduced since the October labor strike.